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August 11, 2011

Hey guys,

I just wanted to let everyone know that I've officially moved over to a self-hosted wordpress site: organicallyme.net. I'm pretty sure I moved all of my readers over, but if not, please subscribe to my site via this feed. The layout isn't done by any means (if anyone knows anyone who wants to make me some graphics out of the kindness of their heart, give me a shout) but I want to start actually blogging again, so I'm not going to wait until everything is prettied up to start.

August 9, 2011

Over the next few days (or weeks, based on how this day is going) I'm going to be moving to a self-hosted blog. In between pulling my hair out and eating my weight in cookie dough to ease the stress, I'll be popping in to let you know how keen I think you all are. If any of you can offer any advice, resources, or anything to make this process go a little more smoothly, I'd squeeze you like a python. Right now I'm in the process of moving from blogger to wordpress.

July 31, 2011

I haven't been posting lately because I've been back in Florida visiting my new boyfriend. In case you were wondering, he's incredibly handsome and sweet and perfect. Well, I've been so busy spending time with him and enjoying my time that I haven't had neither the time nor desire to post. That, and I didn't bring my computer, so I've been out of commission in that respect. I just thought I'd pop in and tell you guys that I'm still here, still having a blast, and that I heart each one of you.

July 21, 2011

Healthy living blogs have a lot of positive qualities. I've met great people, have an outlet to share my story, and they opened up my life to cooking.

But they have a dark side. A side that uses healthy eating as a rouse to cover up obsession. No, I'm not talking about any one person in particular, and I'm not saying that healthy eating automatically equates to obsession, but for me, it did.

Healthy living blogs introduced me to the world of 40 calorie almond milk; chia seeds that I could steep in said almond milk and create a putrid "pudding"; adding flax eggs instead or real eggs, applesauce or pumpkin instead of butter, and always whole grain flours instead of fluffy AP flour; working out multiple times a day because once a day never seemed good enough.

In my opinion, healthy living bloggers were among the healthiest people in the world. I wanted to be like them. So I did all of that - switched my milk, made substitutions to have "healthier" desserts, worked out like a maniac, and even tried to convince myself that I needed to go gluten free because so many bloggers were doing it.

Is this healthy? No.

Do I see it a lot in the blog world? Yes.

It took me a long time to accept that what I was doing was extremely unhealthy. It took a period of binge eating and trying to find what makes me happy in order to come to where I am now. And where I am is wonderful - I'm using real oils to saute instead of zero calorie sprays (do it, it tastes world's better), eating egg yolks without a concern for (my non-existent) high cholesterol, and moaning in pleasure over a hearty slab of tiramisu.

I still drink almond milk and use things like cacao nibs, flax, and whole grains. The difference is that now I know that I'm consuming these things because I like them, and not because I think they're healthy for me.

Here are a list of a few tips that helped me. If you're catching yourself in the blog comparison game, or you're becoming obsessed with healthy eating to the point where eating even a bite of cake nearly gives you a panic attack, then I hope these will help you, too.

1. If you read blogs that trigger you, remove them from your google reader. Removing that temptation will help you, believe me. If the blog isn't staring you in the face every day, you'll be less tempted to seek it out to read it.

2. Look at one thing in your kitchen that you deem "healthy" or something that you've seen frequently in the blog world. Evaluate why you're buying it and eating it. Do you genuinely like the taste, or do you buy it because you think it's healthy? If you find out that it's because of the latter, then maybe try to buy something that you do like instead.

3. Don't kill yourself with exercise. I know that you read bloggers who do HIIT, a run, and yoga all in one day, but you don't have to do that. I only exercise once a day, without killing myself, and I feel great. Don't think that you need to keep up with these bloggers to be healthy or fit - you don't. And take rest days - by that I mean doing no exercise for one whole day - because your body, and mind, deserve it.

4. Meditate. I do 5 minutes of meditation a day (or as often as I remember to) and repeat a mantra that is special to me. It helps me focus and feel happy and at peace. Create a mantra that is special to you and repeat it as you meditate.

Bottom line is: Eating a chocolate chip cookie will not make you fat. Not running 10 miles today won't make you lose all of your endurance. If you don't buy chia seeds then you won't be void of omega-3s. Don't let "healthy living blogs" consume you - life is so much more than a website. So, so much more.

July 15, 2011

I thought I'd do a fun post today, mostly because I haven't perfected the bean burgers that I'm dying to share, and partly because I'm becoming greatly annoyed lately.

Annoyed at men.

I know this isn't anything new, but let me explain. Every time I go out for a run, at least one man does something rude, stupid, or just plain creepy. My reactions span from uncomfortable, to amused, to giving him the meanest look my sweaty face can create.

So, over the past few days, as I've been running, I've been going through a list of things men shouldn't do to women runners. So, without further ado, here are my top five (current) annoyances with men.

Things men shouldn't do to (women) runners

5). If a woman runner (or any runner, for that matter) is about to run past your driveway, make sure to look both ways. If you don't look at what's going on around you, you will kill someone. Thankfully the runner you almost hit was smart enough to stop as she saw you race out of your driveway while looking the opposite direction.

4). If a woman runner is running toward you and you look directly at them, then turn around as they run past, don't think that they can't see everything. While I'm flattered you wanted to see my behind as I run, I do not appreciate your lack of subtly in doing so.

3). If a woman runner decided to take her running shirt off because it's 90 degrees and a sports bra is more comfortable, do not whistle at her. I'm not Heidi Klum in a new Victoria's Secret ad; I'm running around in a sports bra covered in sweat. I feel uncomfortable, hot, and not sexy in the least.

2). If you see a woman runner while you're driving, do not beep at her and stick your thumbs up at her. Or give her a creepy smile. Why? I just told you - it's creepy. She doesn't want to be oogled while she runs, she wants to run. And now, she wants to run away from you.

1). This is a pretty basic one and should be followed by everyone: smile. If you see a woman runner, or any runner, and they smile at you or give you a little wave of acknowledgment, smile back. It's common courtesy, and part of that whole unspoken runner's bond. Plus, she'll feel like a dope if she gives you a grin and you look away.

In short, be friendly, be respectful, and don't oogle women runners. Or, at the very least, don't do it to me. Capisce?